Category: Online Special
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Seven exciting things to do in Aba
Say what you want about Aba – just do not call it boring. Fondly referred to as Enyimba city and regarded as the commercial hub of Abia State, south-east Nigeria, there is no shortage of things to do in the metropolis.
The joy of Aba is at the street level, where everyday life unfolds with bewildering variety. If you are visiting and have no clue on what to do for fun, Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 online hotel booking portal has a roundup of the 7 fun things to do in this town.
Visit the museum
Although Aba is a compact city, it boasts of a great museum called the National Museum of Colonial History, a Federal Government establishment which serves as a research center and houses the history of the evolution of the State from pre-colonial till date.
The museum is frequently visited by tourists as well as children for educational purposes. Spend time at this museum soaking up all the information you can on Nigeria’s rich history as well as the popular Aba Women Riot of 1929.
Enjoy a sumptuous meal at Jevenik
Jevenik Restaurant is a warm and friendly eatery that serves mouthwatering local dishes, simple continental meals such as fried rice and pasta, fries as well as tasty desserts that leave you deeply satisfied.
The food is always delicious; portions are generous and come with an option of several different combos, and side orders.
Like most restaurants in the city, you can’t book or pre-order and you are likely to have to queue on weekends. It might sound like a lot of stress, but, the food never lets you down. A stop here is well worth your time.
Spend an evening at ICONS lounge
Located within the Luxury City Hotel and Towers, ICONS lounge plays host to a health club, nightclub and Suya spot.
This is where true music-heads in Aba looking for an authentic fix go to when they want to dance until the sun comes up. For ear-splitting beats and some hip gyrating, load your wallet with cash and hit the dance floor here. However, be prepared to walk out without a dime in your wallet at the end of the night as this spot is one of the priciest in the metropolis. Also, look out for the legendary Lady’s Night, which start at 6pm every Wednesday.
Go swimming at terminus
Terminus Hotel is quite popular in the city as the best hub for swimming. While this is free for those lodged at the hotel, visitors are allowed to take a dip for a token.
This spot offers plenty of space for adults, tourists and neighborhood children to soak but it stays quiet, especially during midday hours. You can visit the hotel’s bar for a drink or the restaurant for some tasty delights. However, ensure to leave your Kindle and electronic devices in your hotel room to avoid damage by water.
Try a bus experience
Like most places around the country, Aba has quite a number of options when it comes to public transportation. They include keke-na-peps, danfo buses and taxis.
Take a joy ride on one of the buses from any major road junction and experience the fun of public transportation in Aba. There is always a funny or interesting story to tell afterwards, no matter how short the distance. It is also much more fun when you understand the local dialect – Igbo – or have someone who can interpret it to you.You don’t want to take pictures or make videos in transit as other passengers may find it distasteful.
Try the mutton suya at Aba Sports Club
One of the oldest sports clubs in the town, this center still stands as a prime place for relaxation and mutton barbecue.
On hand to take your order are waiters and suya ‘chefs’ who create the tastiest medley of roasted beef.
Although not as fancy as other famous spots, around the country, the service is quite impressive and the flavour of the chops keeps you pinned to table ordering for more. A trip to Aba is not complete without exploring the piping hot meat, just off the grill at this Club.
Explore Ahia Ohuru (New Market)
This market may not be as popular as Ariaria International Market, however it is one of the largest trade centers in the city and the best place to experience the reality of Aba life. There are a variety of commodities on sale – including clothing, food items, furniture, shoes and art – at the market. If you have no intention of doing actual shopping, a tour around the market in the morning is still an interesting thing to do.
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Asaba: How to stay safe on a night out
At a first glance, Asaba, the Delta State capital, seems as quiet as any civil service town.
However, while its scenic features cannot compete with the hedonistic proclivities of its closest neighbor – the oil-rich Warri, it recompenses with a vivacious social life that couriers the epicurean passions of the average local.
As expected, there is an abundance of local entertainment hubs in the city and nightlife offers fascinating experiences, as a wide assortment of nightclubs, lounges and out-door drinking pubs are scattered around the city’s landscape.
While you’ve got your high heels or wallet on and are ready to explore its nightlife, irrespective of what your game plan is, the end goal should always be to make it back in one piece!
With this in mind, Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 online hotel booking service has 5 tips on how to stay safe on a night out in Asaba.
Have a Plan and a contingency plan.
Drawing up a plan can be tedious, but it your best bet. Ensure you know your exact destination, and if possible, tell others too.
Figure out the best time to hit the road, make arrangements with a registered taxi for your trip and don’t forget to take and dial the taxi drivers number to ensure it is working.
Eat before you go out to reduce the effects of alcohol. You also need to give yourself a curfew and stick to it. Again, have a contingency plan as with all things in life, not everything always goes according to plan. The contingency plan will come in handy in case something happens to our phone or keys; you get separated from our friends; or have a little too much to drink.
Carry only the essentials
It’s a night out, not a vacation as such you may not need a full-makeup kit or extra clothes.
Carry only vital items: your phone (key), ID, keys, cash and maybe flats if you are wearing heels. You can fit these basics in small clutch purse.
A general rule is to have enough to cover a round trip cab ride and a few drinks. Also, be sure to have some pocket change on hand for tipping. If you are carrying only a wallet, ensure it does not look bulky and do not flash it about as that will attract unhealthy attention. If you have allergies, you can also pack a few allergy pills or an inhaler in case you are asthmatic.
Communicate
Make sure your mobile is charged and has enough air time. Also, ensure you have an emergency contact number that you can reach and keep the contact updated on your whereabouts, especially if it is your first time in the city.
Write the person’s number on a card and slip into your wallet or purse. If you belong to a social media group, ensure you keep tabs on each other at all times, if you must leave the group, let them know where you are going, who you are going with and possibly how long you will be gone.
If you are staying in a hotel, inform the staff at the lobby of your whereabouts and what time you are to be expected back, that way if you are late, they can call to check up on you.
Look Confident and be vigilant
Always look confident and sharp. Perpetrators are less likely to swindle a person who appears self-assured and aware of their surroundings. Also keep a close eye on the activities of those around you.
Never leave your drink unattended. Holding onto it all time is the best way to make sure nothing extra is put into it. Also, keep your thumb over your bottleneck between sips and if the drink tastes or smells odd do not taste it again.
Do not accept drinks from strangers and keep your possessions (mobiles/cameras) hidden in a secure bag or zipped pockets. And on your way home, when you get out of the taxi, check the seat in case you dropped something before stepping out of the car.
Know your limits
No matter how excited you are or how much you want to impress the people around you, do not do anything you are not comfortable with or spend much more than you planned to.
Watch your alcohol intake as this has a way of dulling your instincts, making you much more vulnerable to danger. If you are drinking in rounds, or expected to take a large number of shots as part of a ‘dare’ game, skip some rounds or have water instead. Don’t mix your drinks with drugs. Pace yourself! If you are feeling too pressured, remember that you have nothing to prove to anyone and just go home!
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Malaria: Global leaders call for increased financing
As global leaders gather in Addis Ababa for the 3rd International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD), the malaria community has outlined a vision for a malaria-free world and, in order to achieve it, called for increased investment in malaria control and elimination efforts around the world to bring an end to this costly scourge. A special side event titled Malaria Financing for a New Era: An Exceptional Case for Investment was convened by H.E. Prime Minister HailemariamDessalegn of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, as host country of the conference and Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance. Government leaders, UN officials and development stakeholders highlighted malaria as a cost-effective investment for development and urged greater commitment to build on the unprecedented progress seen under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This call comes just months before the UN Member States plan to adopt a new set of Global Goals for Sustainable Development which calls for malaria elimination by 2030.
H.E. Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said, “I am now convinced more than ever before that we can achieve our ambitious goal and eliminate malaria from our continent.”
With greater coordination and increased financing, malaria has been one of the great success stories of the MDG era, with more than 6 million deaths projected to have been averted between 2000 and 2015, primarily of children less than five years old in sub-Saharan Africa. In that period, globally there has been a 58% decline in mortality.
Yet more than half of the world’s population remains at risk of malaria infection, representing an alarming threat to global development. The disease is still endemic in 97 countries and territories around the world. Each year, malaria costs the African continent alone an estimated minimum of US $12 billion in lost productivity, and in some high-burden countries it can account for as much as 40% of public health expenditure.
During this special session on financing for malaria elimination, leaders also presented a new strategic vision toward malaria elimination, outlined in the World Health Organization’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030, which was previously approved by the World Health Assembly and lays out the technical strategy needed to continue driving down the burden of malaria, and the Roll Back Malaria (RBM)
Partnership’s Action and Investment to defeat Malaria 2016-2030 (AIM) – for a malaria-free world, which charts the investment and collective actions needed to reach the 2030 malaria goals. Together, these complementary documents provide the technical guidance and a framework for action and investment to achieve ambitious malaria elimination targets and unlock unprecedented economic potential in communities around the world.
“As we move toward a new set of global goals for sustainable development, we have an unprecedented opportunity to put an end to the global threat of malaria once and for all,” said Mr. Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General. “And we have the strategic vision to do so, as outlined in WHO’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria and the Roll Back Malaria Partnership’s Action and Investment to Defeat Malaria.”
Malaria control has long been proven to be one of the most cost-effective public health investments. With more countries around the world shifting their focus to ambitious elimination targets for the first time in history, and new regional commitments to malaria elimination announced in the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Asia Pacific and Africa, experts estimate that the return on investment will only continue expanding. Analysis in the AIM document suggests that the global return on investment in malaria elimination by 2030 could reach a staggering 40:1, rising to an unprecedented 60:1 return on investment if malaria is eliminated in sub-Saharan Africa alone.
“Investing in malaria is one of the best buys in global health,” said Ray Chambers, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Financing the Health MDGs and for Malaria. “As a businessman, I would urge every country to look at financing malaria control as an investment that will generate real returns as a key driver of growth, not as a cost.”
During this financing for malaria event, leaders highlighted the importance of both continued financing by the international donor community and increased domestic financing by affected countries, noting the need for these to be supplemented by innovative financing mechanisms that encourage deeper participation and investment by the private sector and which could include trust funds and malaria-related bonds.
“The next five years will be critical to get us on the right path to achieve the 2030 targets. We must close the funding gaps and double current malaria financing by 2020,” said Dr. FatoumataNafo-Traoré, Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. “The amount is ambitious, but the investment carries a significant return and could save over 10 million lives, avert nearly 3 billion malaria cases and unlock over US $4 trillion in additional global economic output across the 2016-2030 timeframe.”
For the first time in history, the possibility of eliminating the scourge of malaria from the world is before us. It demands vision, courage, investment and patience over the next 15 years which would lead to faster reduction in poverty and accelerated economic development, enhanced educational attainment and vastly improved national systems to respond effectively to health security threats.
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Fibre, nutrients lower blood pressure – Dietician
Mrs. Funmi Lawal, a Dietician with Wuse Hospital, Abuja, said hypertensive people should eat right foods like whole grains to lower blood pressure.
Lawal told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that whole grains have more fibre and nutrients than refined grains for lifestyle intervention.
She said lifestyle intervention should be the first line of treatment and is the foundation for treating hypertension.
“You can control your blood pressure by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight and focus on whole grains because they have more fibre and nutrients than refined grains.
“For instance, use brown rice instead of white rice, whole-wheat pasta instead of regular pasta and whole-grain bread instead of white bread.
“Look for products labeled 100 per cent whole grain or 100 per cent whole wheat. Grains are naturally low in fat, so avoid spreading on butter or adding cream and cheese sauces,’’ she counseled.
Besides, Lawal said that there should be an inclusion of legumes, nuts, lean poultry, fish and low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
“Increase your vegetable intake (four to five servings a day) tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, sweet potatoes, greens and other vegetables are full of fibre, vitamins, and such minerals as potassium and magnesium.
“Examples of one serving include one cup raw leafy green vegetables or 1/2 cup cut-up raw or cooked vegetables.
“Include fruits in your daily menu plan (four to five servings a day). Many fruits need little preparation to become a healthy part of a meal or snack,’’ she said.
The dietician said that examples of one serving include one medium fruit or half cup of fresh juice, limiting use of meat, butter, cheese, whole milk, cream and eggs in your diet.
She also said that people should avoid trans-fat, commonly found in such processed foods as crackers, baked goods and fried items.
Lawal also said that people should limit alcohol intake, engage weight shedding, regular physical activity and reduce sodium to no more than 1,500 mg/day.
According to her, these lifestyle modifications are considered the best way to treat hypertension.
She said that since high blood pressure was a leading cause of heart disease, it was important to have one’s blood pressure checked regularly and to take steps to keep blood pressure within a healthy range.
“Visit a dietician to help you manage your diet adequately.
“Physicians recommend that one maintains blood pressure at or below 120/80 mmHg, but high blood pressure is medically defined as any reading higher than 140/90 mmHg,’’ she said
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Film enthusiasts laud resurgence of Cinemas in Nigeria
The cinema culture in the country seems to be on the increase in recent times, a fact that has been attested to by movie viewers. This could also be seen easily in the number of movie houses springing up across the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on the basis of the upsurge of movie houses here and there, especially in Lagos and other major cities, movie viewers have responded to the development with enthusiasm, spending their time at weekends in such places.
NAN reports that there was a lull in the cinema business with the advent of video machines which afforded people the opportunity to watch movies at home and even at a lesser cost since they could view different movies in a day.
The situation was further compounded by the emergence of the digital satellite television which also offered viewers a variety of shows.
These developments led to the closure of major cinema houses and there conversion to houses of religious worship.
But in 2004, Ben Murray Bruce, now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the auspices of his Silver Bird Group, opened the Silver Bird Galleria which has about five cinema halls and a shopping mall.
Nigerians since then began to change their attitude of watching films at home to visiting the cinemas, causing a revival of the industry.
In Lagos, some of the popular cinema houses that had gone moribund include the Pen Cinema, Agege, Roxy Cinema, Apapa, Casino, Yaba, Oregie Cinema Ajegunle.
However, some have rebounded, while some are undergoing renovation with a view to once more offer services to the people.
Some viewers who spoke to NAN about their experiences said it offered them the leisure they needed to take their minds off the week’s work in their offices, business and academics.
A banker, Mary Ajagbe, told NAN that movie outings at weekends had also added to her itinerary which included picnic at the beach and shopping at the malls.
Ajagbe added that the new cinema culture in the country had made her to be up to date with current Hollywood and Nollywood movies in their original forms.
“I enjoy my weekend outings these days because of the options I have on my leisure times at weekends.
“I hope that more cinema houses will be built across Lagos and other cities in Nigeria,” she said.
Isaac Oladele, a student at Yaba College of Technology, who spoke to NAN in the premises of Ozone Cinema, Yaba, said that his weekends were usually reserved for movies.
“I watch mainly on weekends while some people come to watch movies regularly every day, Mondays to Fridays, and also during the weekend.
“Most of the movies are Western and sometimes Nollywood movies. I always look forward to my weekends because of this,” he said.
In the same vein, Temidayo Esohe, a student told NAN that the current cinema culture in the country was a good development for leisure at weekends.
“The cinema viewership is very encouraging most especially when you come during the weekend.
“People usually come in the night on Saturdays and after church service on Sundays because there is a church close by,” she said.
Meanwhile, Bode Olawale, a student of the University of Lagos, who sells movie ticket on part time basis at the Ozone Cinema, told NAN that ticket sales had been very lucrative because of the influx of movie goers.
“Our customers are mainly students from University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology who attend our shows on a regular basis.
“The development has made it possible for me to make extra pocket money in addition to what my parents usually give to me for my upkeep,” Olawale said.
